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Grenada – Lesser Antilles Exploration
The Spice Isle!
It would have been blasphemy if I didn’t return from Grenada with some spices, so don’t worry… I did. Although called the Spice Isle or Isle of Spice, Grenada had much more to offer through my lens. I’m talking about those mountainous roads, hiking, and that lush jungle interior that opens up to pristine beaches and turquoise waters. Yea, that’s the stuff. As with my time in Aruba, I spent 99% of my time outside the resort strip seeing all I could see during this weekend warrior trip to Grenada. Enjoy!
Driver's Permit
To begin, a temporary drivers permit is strongly recommended although plenty of people were willing to lend cars without one. Rental agencies can provide them, or can be purchased at a local police station.
Logistics were similar to Aruba with a rental and Airbnb, although no direct flight from MCO.
- Flights – to get the cheapest RT from American, I had to book separate tickets. After the Chase Reserve $300 travel credit reduction, and an American Airlines credit, total was $22!
- I had to call 6 places before I could find a car, so be vigilant. Rental + permit was $250.
- Airbnb was a steal at $150.
That brings the total for necessities to $422. Not bad.
Get a car, if you dare!
Taxis are abundant, but I have no idea the price. Plus, the driving I witnessed would probably make most people car sick. Keep in mind, renting a car means your steering wheel is on the right, and you're driving on the left side of the very narrow and sparsely-maintained roads.
No plans? Drive everywhere
As much as I like public transportation in some countries, this is just not the place to do so. I took full advantage of having a car to drive roughly 75% of the main roads around Grenada. The standouts for me were the colorful towns I passed while weaving through curvy, blind-cornered turns on every jungle mountain road. Red, green and yellow everywhere! I’ll mention it one last time, but the driving is not for the faint of heart. It’s aggressive. There will be tailgating. There will be horns blaring. People are in a rush to somewhere… I never found out.
Even so, having the car had major upside. I could easily get to places, like an old airport runway, and go flat out with the RAV4 🙂
Pearls Airport, while not previously on my list of to-do’s, quickly became one of the highlights of the trip. The airport still had two bullet-ridden planes from the United State’s invasion of Grenada during the Reagan administration to remove communist influence.
My favorite places
Grenada was an island that makes me excited to visit more of the Lesser Antilles. The Spice Isle has the type of topography I simply enjoy being in.
Mountains? Check.
Jungles? Check.
Mountains and jungles the lead out to sandy beaches? Check.
Mountains and jungles that lead to beaches that lead to crystal clear water and reefs? Check.
With that said, Levera Beach has to be my favorite spot of the trip. And personally, I think it’s the best beach on the island (I went to quite a few). It’s far away from St. George’s on the north end and gave me the opportunity to walk the length of the beach uninterrupted. Not one other soul in sight.
Other notable spots were the waterfalls and lookout point in Grand Etang. I’m not a “chase waterfalls” person, but if there is a chance to jump in, then I’m in. Additionally, the Belmont Estate was more than I expected! I had no idea walking in that they served a delicious 3-course buffet style lunch for a respectable $40 USD. The staff was amazing, too. And as a bonus, the estate grounds are open to walk, with trails that lead up to the closest mountain peak.
A look back
In Grenada, I was happy with my ability to stick to my 2023 “resolutions.” I took fewer pictures, fewer videos and strived to soak up the surroundings for the good ‘ole mental memories. It was a beautiful island with a side of crazy from the driving experience, rich culture and friendly people.
Also, I’m taking a note to get tropical hiking shoes for the next island…
-ML
Recap of Places
Check out the MAP for links!
- Annandale and Seven Sisters waterfalls
- Beaches
- Levera
- Grand Anse
- Bathway
- Magazine
- Fort George and Frederick
- Laura Herb and Spice Garden
- Pearls Airport
- Belmont Estate
- Grand Etang
Michael Lakus
IT professional, athlete, musician, ponderer of many things... Born and raised in Florida, I began traveling internationally after college. I created this site primarily to remind myself of where I've been and to share my experiences on traveling with a quirky, stress-free, travel attitude.
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